Darters from Benguet won during the 2023 Philippine Open International Darts Tournament in Tacloban City on April 12 to 16.
Leading the Cordilleran darters was Team Goldi Itogon member Jolandy Bag-oyen, who partnered with Bong Gabiana and Wency Cortes from Mindanao to form Team GMD and won first place in the draw triples category.
Bag-oyen, a grade 12 student of Alejo M. Pacalso Memorial National High School, and his team won a P180,000 cash prize for the feat.
He previously topped the youth singles event during the National Darts Tournament in Santiago City, Isabela during the Balamban Dance Festival 2022.
Other Itogon darters from Barangay Tuding were Owen Palomo who placed fourth, while Patrick Basile placed eighth in the same category.
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Councilor Aljay Cuyahon gave assistance to the Itogon team, whose members were first-timers in the international darts tournament.
Meanwhile, Giselle Bulahao of Yagyagan, Tuba, Benguet placed second in the ladies category during the event also joined by other darters from the province.
In February this year, Bulahao has emerged as champion in the ladies’ singles category of the National Darts Tournament at the Provincial Capitol, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibungay. She beat National Darts Federation of the Philippines female top seed Ging Ansale of Team Pacman/GMD with 4-0 score during the seven series championship game.
Bulahao of Team R@x Brotherhood Benguet led other 18 lady darters during the event organized by the NDFP where she received a trophy and P16,000 cash prize.
She also teamed up with Eduardo Largo and Ceasar Pausal from Mindanao to become the champion in the classified draw triplets category besting other 261 players. – Ofelia C. Empian
